Research Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kansas
Research associate visa sponsorship jobs in Kansas are concentrated in university research hubs like Lawrence and Manhattan, driven by institutions such as the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. Pharmaceutical and biotech employers in the Kansas City metro area also hire internationally. Competition for sponsored positions is real, but demand for research talent remains steady.
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The Kansas Data Science Consortium (KDSC) is a project housed at the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR), a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant research questions. The KDSC at the University of Kansas invites candidates to apply for a Postdoctoral Researcher position for a 9-month appointment. The position is expected to begin as early as September 1, 2026. KDSC is particularly interested in candidates who aspire to become academic researchers in applied microeconomics (particularly labor and education), environmental economics, or international trade.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with Dr. William Duncan on multiple projects related to data housed in KDSC’s signature program, Community Data Labs. The position offers opportunities for co-authorship on publications. The candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate with IPSR-affiliated faculty. This work is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.
The advertised salary range of $60,000-$68,000 reflects a 12-month appointment; however, this position will only serve a 9-month appointment. The adjusted compensation over 9 months will be $44,827-$50,804, commensurate with experience. This range reflects a full 9-month appointment and may be subject to change based on official start date.
Job Description
70% - Research:
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Prepare, test, and document complex datasets for sponsored research: Combine data from multiple sources.
- Combine data from multiple years to create longitudinal datasets.
- Test created datasets for consistency, outliers, and missing values.
- Document code to make updating and revision easier.
- Perform work as part of a research team.
15% - Scholarly Outputs:
- Craft scholarly outputs such as conference proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Prepare and present updates on ongoing research, provide written reports on progress, participate in group meetings.
- Prepare and present technical workshops to the Community Data Labs class and KDSC Research Lab.
- Collaborate with ARISE theme researchers and present research at ARISE events.
15% - Teaching:
- Teach data science students and provide feedback and guidance on student data science projects.
- Provide support for Data Science Majors and Courses.
- Provide data science consulting services by request in collaboration with the KDSC Data Engineer.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in economics, public policy, political science, geography, sociology, or demography, with an emphasis on quantitative methods.
- Experience with programming in STATA, SAS or R and handling large-scale population surveys and administrative records, as evidenced in application materials.
- Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials.
- A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6-months. Appointment duration will be extended upon final verification of degree.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with quantitative research related to applied microeconomic disciplines.
- Strong microeconometric skills, as demonstrated by research using these methods.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
- Writing sample
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins Monday, August 3rd, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to this date.
Contact Information to Applicants
Emma Howard, e.howard@ku.edu
KDSC | Research Project Specialist
Advertised Salary Range
$60,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday September 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 33174BR
- Department: Inst for Policy & Social Res
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: Hybrid
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 03-Aug-2026
Position Overview
The Kansas Data Science Consortium (KDSC) is a project housed at the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR), a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant research questions. The KDSC at the University of Kansas invites candidates to apply for a Postdoctoral Researcher position for a 9-month appointment. The position is expected to begin as early as September 1, 2026. KDSC is particularly interested in candidates who aspire to become academic researchers in applied microeconomics (particularly labor and education), environmental economics, or international trade.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with Dr. William Duncan on multiple projects related to data housed in KDSC’s signature program, Community Data Labs. The position offers opportunities for co-authorship on publications. The candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate with IPSR-affiliated faculty. This work is supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.
The advertised salary range of $60,000-$68,000 reflects a 12-month appointment; however, this position will only serve a 9-month appointment. The adjusted compensation over 9 months will be $44,827-$50,804, commensurate with experience. This range reflects a full 9-month appointment and may be subject to change based on official start date.
Job Description
70% - Research:
- Data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Prepare, test, and document complex datasets for sponsored research: Combine data from multiple sources.
- Combine data from multiple years to create longitudinal datasets.
- Test created datasets for consistency, outliers, and missing values.
- Document code to make updating and revision easier.
- Perform work as part of a research team.
15% - Scholarly Outputs:
- Craft scholarly outputs such as conference proposals and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- Prepare and present updates on ongoing research, provide written reports on progress, participate in group meetings.
- Prepare and present technical workshops to the Community Data Labs class and KDSC Research Lab.
- Collaborate with ARISE theme researchers and present research at ARISE events.
15% - Teaching:
- Teach data science students and provide feedback and guidance on student data science projects.
- Provide support for Data Science Majors and Courses.
- Provide data science consulting services by request in collaboration with the KDSC Data Engineer.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in economics, public policy, political science, geography, sociology, or demography, with an emphasis on quantitative methods.
- Experience with programming in STATA, SAS or R and handling large-scale population surveys and administrative records, as evidenced in application materials.
- Strong writing and communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials.
- A proven ability to work independently, as demonstrated in application materials.
NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6-months. Appointment duration will be extended upon final verification of degree.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience with quantitative research related to applied microeconomic disciplines.
- Strong microeconometric skills, as demonstrated by research using these methods.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
- Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
- Resume
- List of three (3) professional references
- Writing sample
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins Monday, August 3rd, 2026. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to this date.
Contact Information to Applicants
Emma Howard, e.howard@ku.edu
KDSC | Research Project Specialist
Advertised Salary Range
$60,000 - $68,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Tuesday September 1, 2026
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 33174BR
- Department: Inst for Policy & Social Res
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: Hybrid
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 03-Aug-2026
Research Associate Job Roles in Kansas
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Search Research Associate Jobs in KansasResearch Associate Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research associates in Kansas?
The University of Kansas and Kansas State University are among the most consistent sponsors of research associate roles in Kansas, particularly for postdoctoral and laboratory positions. In the private sector, employers in the Kansas City metro area's life sciences and agricultural biotechnology sectors have sponsored research roles. University medical centers, including KU Medical Center, also have established international hiring track records.
Which visa types are most common for research associate roles in Kansas?
The H-1B visa is the most common work visa for research associates in Kansas, as most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific or technical field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. J-1 visas are frequently used for postdoctoral research positions at universities. Some roles at academic institutions may also qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions, which are not subject to the annual lottery.
How to find research associate visa sponsorship jobs in Kansas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to search for research associate roles in Kansas without sifting through positions that don't sponsor. You can browse by city, focusing on Lawrence, Manhattan, and the Kansas City metro. Migrate Mate's listings are tailored for international candidates, so each posting reflects employers with documented sponsorship activity.
Which cities in Kansas have the most research associate sponsorship jobs?
Lawrence and Manhattan are the strongest markets for research associate sponsorship in Kansas, anchored by the University of Kansas and Kansas State University respectively. The Kansas City metro area, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri border, adds private-sector life sciences and biotech opportunities. Wichita has a smaller but active research presence tied to aviation engineering and applied sciences.
Are there any state-specific considerations for research associates seeking sponsorship in Kansas?
Kansas research associate roles are heavily tied to university and agricultural research funding, which can affect hiring cycles. Positions at nonprofit research institutions or universities may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions, meaning sponsorship doesn't depend on winning the annual lottery. Candidates with backgrounds in agricultural science, bioinformatics, or pharmaceutical research align well with Kansas employer demand and may find more sponsorship-willing employers in those specializations.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research associate jobs in Kansas?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.